Noc: My..., my..., you're all so...... fascinating... I don't have any intention of seeing this "Eternum"... Honestly..., I am quite fed up with the concept of higher powers... They're all so high and mighty about being gods..., as if they did anything to deserve their status... Personally, I think that abandoning your mortality for something as trivial as power is...... foolish... Gabriel: *Not the one that just left. This guy's older and more muscle-y, but he looks the same.* That's hypocritical, Eterna, considering your situation. While I'm criticizing you, why don't you just make yourself younger so you're not some slow-talking old lady? Noc: I am Noc right now..., and I like being old..., thank you very much...! But..., no..., it is not hypocrisy coming from my mouth..., it is experience... I have no intention of ending my life..., but I believe that..., given the choice..., I would tell my past self to just fade away with the rest of her planet... Though..., I suppose I am happier than I used to be... I suppose that's due to you and May... So..., thank you for that... Gabriel: *Rolls eyes* Hey, Truman. It's been a while. How've you been? Hello, people I haven't met. My name's Gabriel Cooper, Demon Specialist and Reality Keeper. I work for Noc, nowadays, cause she's too lazy to do things herself. Although, you shouldn't just dismiss your past. It's something to work through and learn from, not something you should abandon. You'll run into all kinds of problems if you try to ignore it.
Haruka: If part of that was directed toward us, Gabriel, then I might not have gotten my point across properly. You are right about the past; you shouldn’t ignore it. *glances at Fuu.* But what he does isn’t good either. He gets so consumed by his past that he fails to see what the future can bring. That’s why I want him to look a little less at the past and start looking ahead a little more instead.
Gabriel: Oh, sorry for that, then. Guess you'd know more about it then me, huh? I know someone who used to be kinda like that, but it never got that bad. Noc: See..., Gabriel..., this is why you should just do what I say and let me do the talking... You act like you're an adult..., but you're still just a child in the grand scheme of things... Gabriel: If you keep talking like that, Lady, I might just leave and force you to do your own work for now on. Noc: *Laughs* Oh..., Gabriel..., it's funny that you think that's a threat... The only reason you and May aren't forced to go back to your realities..., which are not the same..., I might add..., is that I am vouching for you... Gabriel: *Under his breath* Dusty old hag... Say, Truman, have you left the room yet? I mean, I know that you're kind of tied here, but have you tried to leave? Could you even go anywhere?
Truman: Seeker and I had no idea we were bonded until after the Transcendence. I pleaded not to go, and my people understood I wanted to die human as we agreed. I slept, until Seeker found this place. I never thought about leaving. I'm bound to Seeker, so I can be anywhere, I guess. Where would I go?
Haruka: I can only hope that the feelings we have for each other will prove to be enough… Because the way things are going, he might do something stupid. Fuu: Stupid?! Like what?! Haruka: Like joining the demons. Fuu: What?! Why would you-- Haruka: Lately you have been talking more and more sympathetically about them… Fuu: You really shouldn’t be saying such things… You know that if I were to be accused of being a sympathizer you would be dragged into it just because of knowing me. And you don’t have to fear that I will run off and join the enemy. I can promise you that I won’t.
Black Sun: An impressive ability, truly. If you could, in theory, be anywhere then you could see things that human minds have only idly fantasized about. Alien stars, black holes, distant galaxies. Not that the universe is not without hideous entities that are either malicious, or so vast an incomprehensible that we are but dust mites to them. But perhaps things which seem fantastical to mortals, are unremarkable to the entity you're bonded to.
Truman: I suppose I never gave much thought about what's out there, what with trying to save humanity and all... Ask Seeker yourself. He's right there. *glowing boy waves* Seeker: Greetings. I admire your curiousity. You have questions?
Gabriel: Excuse me, but I don't think we've met yet. My name's Gabriel Cooper. Would you mind introducing yourself?
Haruka: Hello! I'm Haruka. Fuu: I'm Fuu. Welcome here. Haruka: I guess I have to echo Garbiel. How about a introduction?
Black Sun: You can call me Black Sun. Perhaps the theatrics are a little foreign to your world *Taps the metal mask concealing his face* but it's the norm in my home dimension. Black Sun: Well now. If you're an artificial intelligence, you're certainly more personable than the few I've met in my life.
Fuu: Well, theatrics as you put it isn't exactly unheard of in Sekai. The demons are able to disguise themselves as humans. Luckily that is only through the aid of magic potions and the effect doesn't last forever. A few hours at most. Twelve I think have been the recored maximum. Haruka: But what is the mask for? And when you say it's the norm do you mean everyone wears masks?
Black Sun: *Chuckles* Well, not everyone. Only people who would class themselves as superheroes, or supervillains, a means to conceal their identity. And I suppose I'm particular when it comes to my face.
Fuu: Superheroes? Supervillains? *looks at Haruka* Do you understand what he's talking about? Haruka: Totally. But on my Earth they are just fictional characters. Speaking of those... What is your power, Black Sun? Guessing by your alias... Could it be something sun related? Fuu: Alias? You're saying Black Sun isn't his name? Haruka: I'll explain the whole superhero thing later, okay? Fuu: Fine...
Katie: …okay, yeah, what the hell’s going on? Rani: The world may never know. I’m not sure whether we missed a lot or it’s just really confusing. Alyssa: Both, I think. I mean, I’m the smart one here and even I’m not sure what’s happening. Isabel: Excuse you, Sarah’s clearly the smart one. Sarah: We’re both the smart one. Anyways, I have no idea what’s going on, either. But hey, while we were gone, our author developed a coherent villain for our story. So that’s fun!
Fuu: Speaking of villains and fun... Wouldn’t it be interesting to let them have their turn in here? Just for a while, anyway. *to everyone* What do you think?
Truman: By my definition, I am a villain. But what is it - to be villainous? Murder? Destruction? Suffering? Tyranny? Oppression? What about manipulation? When I approve the killing of more than 6 billion people, regardless of the circumstances, is it murder? Yes. When I turn the greatest arsenal in the world against my own cities to reduce them to rubble, regardless of the reason, am I a destroyer? Yes. If I refuse aid to some people in favor of others, and they die in the tens of thousands, is it heinous? Yes. If I destroyed democracy and capitalism and liberty, despite the outcome, am I The Tyrant? I was - I took it as my formal title. I took property, possession, and even family and religion as they knew it. I used any information strictly for my own purpose, such as it was. Regardless of the outcome, I was all these things, and I hated it. I tried and convicted myself for murder and treason, and was found guilty, convicted, and sentenced to death - to my great relief. In the next moment, the Supreme Court stayed the execution, and my sentence was commuted to life as the Tyrant Administrator. They called me Hero, even Savior, and even as I revealed my deeds to the world, they persisted. But I had control of all information and the writing of history. I would be forever remembered as Tyrant and villain. *sighs* Or, so I thought.
Haruka: Or you are the antihero, doing what might be wrong but because it is necessary. That is what your Earth remember you as, am I correct? And I think that by villains Fuu meant the characters we as antagonists are fighting in some way or another with intent on putting an end to whatever scheme they have. Fuu: I was. Haruka: In our case that currently means... Fuu: The Demon Kings.
Black Sun: I suppose, strictly speaking in a legal sense, I am a supervillain. Though I prefer to see myself as a visionary. Corona: Yeah... you're not the first 'big bad guy' to say stuff like that. I'm a supervillain too, I guess, but... More of a hired muscle kinda guy. Basically I draw the line at killing people or hurting them too bad.
Haruka: Guess there were some ”villains” here already… Fuu: Indeed. And that means you are going back. Haruka: What? But what about you? Fuu: Oh, I’ll join you shortly. There is just one tiny little thing I need to do first. Haruka: Okay… *Haruka leaves. As soon as he is out of sight Fuu undo his ponytail. As his white hair turn a dark orange, deer antlers grow from his head and yellow scales cover his skin.* Huanglong: Okay, Zhuque, you might as well show yourself. I know you are here. *Zhuque appears sitting on a beam close to the cealing.* Zhuque: *mockingly* And you don’t have to fear that I will run off and join the enemy. I can promise you that I won’t. *breaks out laughing* Huanglong: *chuckles* Well, I can’t join you if I have been one of you from the very beginning, can I?
Katie: Bring in our villains? I mean, we can’t bring in all of them. Alyssa: And I’m vetoing the idea of bringing in the king before anyone suggests it. Maybe Leila, though… Isabel: Speaking of which, you know who we haven’t invited that we really should have? (Beat) I’m not gonna wait for an answer. A blue-skinned, androgynous nymph appears. Vaimiti: Oh—hello. I was invited here by Isabel—where is she? Isabel: Over here!!! Vaimiti: (Notices her and the squad) Oh, there you all are. (Joins them) Ahem. Sorry about entering unexpectedly. My name is Vaimiti; judging by the fact that I appear to be in a room full of humans, I should also clarify that I am a water nymph. Isabel: They’re kind of our mentor. I mean, not really, but there's no cliche role to describe them better. Sarah: They took us to the realm where we started our adventure, explained the situation to us, and helped us learn how to use magic. I’d say mentor works. Katie: And they hid key information from us. Pretty clear sign of a mentor trope. Vaimiti: Are you still holding a grudge over that? I know you understand why— Katie: (To Vaimiti) Chill, I’m joking. Mostly. (Speaking generally now) We don’t always get along. They don’t like water-based magic, and that’s kinda my whole thing. But most of the time they love me. Vaimiti: I feel I’m being misrepresented. Camila: This is how humans show affection, you know that. By messing with each other.
Zhuque: *to Vaimiti* A room full of humans?!! *the flames that make up his hair flare up for a second* I would choose my words more carefully if I were you. You are half right when it comes to Huanglong, though. Sure, his mother was a demon, but his father... was a human! Huanglong: *clenching his fists* NOT ANOTHER WORD!!! *A humanoid lizard, a humanoid tiger and a humanoid tortoise enters* Qinglong (the lizard): His parantage is a disgrace, that is certainly true. Still... Baihu (the tiger): Everyone would agree that he is very powerful. He is the first one to ever win the fifth throne, after all. Xuanwu (the tortoise): Hhmph!! He got lucky, that’s all. *to Vaimiti* And you... If you are a water nymph how can you not like water magic? Zhuque: *to Vaimiti* And keeping information to yourself? Then you’ll fit right in with the half-breed.
Relias: Wow, you guys are kinda hostile. I mean, we're all supposed to be antagonists here, but, come on guys, have some class. It's perfectly acceptable to have water abilities but not like water. Take my darling little Luna for example. Luna: Don't drag me into this. Relias: Too late!~ She used to hate the water, despite being able to control it. Of course, those were personal reasons, so you can't really fault her for it. Same applies to this nymph here. By the way, my name's Relias, and I'm the God of Gods! Luna: *To Qinq, Bai, Huang, and Xuan.* So, are you guys the Demon Kings we've heard about? And, if I may ask you, Fuu, why disguise yourself? Is it sabotage? Relias: *To Huanglong* You shouldn't feel too bad about having a human father. I mean, some people don't even have parents! *Looks at Luna* Luna: I have parents...
Xuanwu: Are we the Demon Kings? Yes, all five of us are. Huanglong: It’s not really a disguise... I have been able to change back and forth between demon and human for almost as long as I remember. As for why... Haruka has a very special power he himself isn’t aware of yet. And we need that power if we are going to finally defeat the humans. Qinglong: And, Relias, you call yourself God of Gods? That’s a pretty big claim.
Relias: Well, I am the God of Gods, it's no claim. I caused the death of the Old Gods; I rose to the state of Godhood; and I fully intend to create more gods to help me keep this world peaceful and equal. Luna: You haven't even made a god yet. Relias: I made Echo a god. In fact, I made Aluish and River gods, as well. Granted, I killed those last two pretty quickly afterwards, but I still made three. I think that's perfectly enough to claim the title of "God of Gods." Even further, I was the reason Luna was created in the first place, and she's pretty close to Ascending. That would make four. You really should do that quickly, before one of my followers gets a cheap shot and kills you, Luna. Luna: *To Huanglong, ignoring Relias.* So, that makes it manipulation? I have to say, you're doing a pretty good job. Not that I agree, but credit where it's due, and all that. *To Vaitimi* If it's okay, can I ask you why you don't like water magic? I didn't like it too much back when I was younger, but I actually kind of like it, now.
Huanglong: Actually... I fully intend to tell Haruka everything. Baihu: What?!! Xuanwu: We did agree on letting him know the truth behind the invasion. Huanglong: Exactly. And when I do that, he is sure to wonder how I know. So, honesty is the best policy. Zhuque: *to Relias* A god making gods... Sounds quite a lot like The Creator. Whatever that being really is, it did help four humans ascended to godhood. Qinglong: The Creator has help us aswell, by telling us about Haruka’s power and how to summon him. Zhuque: Yeah, yeah... But, Relias, how exactly did you create gods? I can’t imagine it being an easy feat.
